School boards open virtual learning academies: About 15% of local students registered for distance learning

By Kaitlyn Clark

The Haldimand Press

HALDIMAND—As most students across the province filed into classrooms for the first time in months this week, about one in six to seven students locally are staying home to join virtual schools on September 14, 2020. These online learning academies are run by their usual school board, complete with their own teachers and principals.

About 17% of Grand Erie District School Board’s (GEDSB) 26,000 students opted for online learning, including about 3,500 elementary students and 1,000 secondary students.

“With a number of families choosing online learning, a focus of our back-to-school planning has meant envisioning how best to create the classroom experience for our students who will be learning at home,” said JoAnna Roberto, GEDSB Director of Education. “The creation of our Virtual Academy means we can centralize learning resources and expertise, and work with teaching staff dedicated to delivering curriculum in the online environment.”